Laura Atkinson

Dr. Laura Atkinson is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Mary Lou Fulton College at Arizona State University (ASU), with more than a decade of experience in general and special education teaching, teacher preparation, and professional learning. Prior to joining the ASU faculty, she coordinated the Urban Professional Learning Schools Initiative (UPLSI) master’s program, contributing to program and curriculum development. She also served as director of ACHIEVE Mississippi, an $8.5 million federally funded initiative at Mississippi State University focused on improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

Her professional and scholarly interests include teacher preparation and professional development, inclusive education, social and emotional learning, and evidence-based practices for students with disabilities. She is an active member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and provides professional learning on High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support effective instruction and improve educational outcomes for all students.

At ASU, Dr. Atkinson has led teacher preparation initiatives, including an accelerated immersion program and a dual-certification program in elementary and special education. She has developed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses, supervised teacher candidates, and served for more than five years as the Special Education area lead within Teacher Preparation. Currently, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses and serves as a chair in the EdD program.